Monday-Tuesday | Jan. 27-28
Limited Populations, Lost Patient Follow-Up Impact TAVR versus SAVR DataThree pivotal trials—Evolut, PARTNER 3, and PARTNER 2A—have shown that transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was noninferior to surgical AVR (SAVR) in terms of mortality and stroke among low-risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. But speakers at Sunday’s session on the evolving impact of TAVR said that many questions about TAVR and SAVR remain unanswered. READ MORE
Yancy Makes Impassioned Plea for Diversity and InclusionIn a thought-provoking and inspiring talk at Sunday afternoon’s opening session, Clyde W. Yancy, MD, emphasized the need for diversity and inclusion within the medical profession as a way to improve health outcomes. READ MORE
Q&A with STS President Robert S.D. HigginsIn the past year, STS President Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, MSHA, has led tireless efforts to enhance and expand the Society’s activities in many important areas. As his presidential term comes to a close Monday evening, he looks back at the achievements, challenges, and lessons learned—and shares a preview of his Presidential Address, which he will deliver Monday morning at 11:15 in Great Hall A. READ MORE
Clark Papers Reveal New Insights on Diaphragm Paralysis, LVRS, Infective EndocarditisSTS National Database data are used for numerous important medical research studies each year that improve cardiothoracic surgical outcomes and enhance the quality of patient care. Three of these studies, selected from among the many submitted for the 2020 Annual Meeting, were designated as this year’s Richard E. Clark Memorial Papers. READ MORE
STS Advances Use of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning in CT SurgeryThe Society is a recognized leader in quality measurement and public reporting of surgical outcomes. Now, STS is taking a leading role in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to further improve patient care and outcomes in cardiothoracic surgery. READ MORE
ISCHEMIA, Surgical Experience Trials Refine Current PracticeTwo hot topics will be discussed and debated at an adult cardiac session on Monday afternoon—the ISCHEMIA trial and the impact of surgical experience on mortality rates following reoperative cardiac surgery. READ MORE
Technology and Common Sense Are Key to Avoiding Practice ExtinctionWhat’s the secret to keeping your practice alive and well? Embrace new technology, new skills, and even social media—that’s the prescription for success and avoiding practice extinction, according to Tom C. Nguyen, MD, from The University of Texas at Houston. READ MORE
Surgeon Burnout May Jeopardize Patient SafetyPersonal and professional responsibilities that are overly demanding can have a major impact on burnout and job satisfaction for cardiothoracic surgeons—and this can have significant patient safety consequences. READ MORE
Fetal Cardiac Intervention Represents a New Era in Congenital Heart DiseaseA few decades ago, congenital heart defects weren’t diagnosed until after babies were born. Then, fetal echocardiography allowed for early diagnosis and preparation. More recently, fetal cardiologists have successfully intervened in structural cardiac disease before birth. READ MORE
Cardiothoracic Surgery Slow to Adopt Robotic Technology, But Times May Be ChangingRobotic-assisted surgery has grown in popularity among many US surgeons. In fact, urologists and gynecologists use robots for a majority of their procedures. So why are thoracic surgeons still performing traditional open surgery 50% of the time? READ MORE
Inspiring Keynote LecturesThe STS Annual Meeting features compelling keynote speakers, including presenters of the Thomas B. Ferguson Lecture and C. Walton Lillehei Lecture. READ MORE
NextGen STS National Database Is Ready for LaunchMore than 2 years in the making, the next generation STS National Database launches this week. The phase 1 rollout will include a data uploader, missing variable report, interactive dashboard, and a data quality report that will provide feedback within minutes after upload. READ MORE- Visit STS in the Exhibit HallStop by Booth #101 in the Exhibit Hall and hear about the latest the Society has to offer. You can learn more about member benefits, advocacy efforts (including STS-PAC), upcoming educational courses on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and robotic thoracic and cardiac surgery, The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, the STS Research Center, and the Society’s charitable arm, The Thoracic Surgery Foundation. READ MORE
- Researchers Meet the MediaOn Monday afternoon, the authors of three top scientific abstracts will discuss their findings with various media outlets at the STS Press Conference. READ MORE
- Industry SymposiaA number of programs are offered by industry and held in conjunction with the STS 56th Annual Meeting. They are not developed or sponsored by STS. READ MORE
Sunday | Jan. 26
Specialized Training Can Unleash Surgeon InnovationBetter education and creating opportunities that support innovation and entrepreneurship in academic medicine are essential for accelerating advancements in cardiothoracic surgery. READ MORE
STS University Participants Gain Hands-On Experience with Complex ProceduresSTS University jumpstarted the 2020 Annual Meeting on Saturday by providing physicians of all experience levels with hands-on exposure to the latest techniques and technologies in cardiothoracic surgery. Ten courses were offered, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation—a new addition this year. READ MORE
Chamberlain Papers Will Examine Timely Topics at Monday PlenaryFailure to rescue after cardiac surgery, real-time molecular imaging of lung nodules, and the role of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in young and middle-aged adults are the focuses of this year’s prestigious J. Maxwell Chamberlain Memorial Papers, which will be presented during Monday’s plenary session. READ MORE
Shark Tank Puts Best of New Ideas Front and Center at Tech-ConTech-Con’s popular Shark Tank presentations on Saturday featured four entrepreneurs pitching new devices designed to improve outcomes for cardiothoracic surgery. READ MORE
Radically New Insights on Bicuspid Aortic Valve Repair Influence Practice WorldwideWith ever-changing information emerging about the pathophysiology of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), as well as the anatomy and physiology of the aortic root, it’s essential for cardiac surgeons to familiarize themselves with the latest, state-of-the-art BAV repair paradigms. READ MORE
Vivien Thomas Honored with Symposium, KeynoteThis year’s Annual Meeting program includes a symposium and named lecture in honor of Vivien T. Thomas, a black surgical technician with only a high school education, who worked with Alfred Blalock, MD, and pioneered the anastomosis of the subclavian artery to the pulmonary artery, among other accomplishments. READ MORE
Train for the Worst to Make the Best of Risky Situations During SurgeryIn the complex discipline of general thoracic surgery, the opportunity for catastrophic events has always been part of the job. But some believe “nightmare situations” are becoming even more common throughout the world. READ MORE
Lymphatic Failure Often Masquerades as Cardiac Failure in Children and AdultsA growing body of evidence shows that many conditions being treated as sequelae of congenital cardiac problems actually may be disorders of lymphatic circulation. READ MORE
Training Doesn’t End after CT Surgery Residency Is OverToday’s cardiothoracic surgery residents need to be lifelong learners with strong clinical, technical, and leadership skills if they are to succeed in an increasingly complex practice environment. READ MORE- Don’t Miss the Exhibit Hall Opening ReceptionThe STS Exhibit Hall will open its doors this afternoon, and you’ll be able to learn about products and services offered by more than 120 companies and organizations. Food and refreshments will be available throughout the Hall. READ MORE
Celebrate Mardi Gras at the President’s ReceptionExperience the fun and flamboyance of New Orleans during Mardi Gras season by attending the President’s Reception tonight from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Mardi Gras World. READ MORE- Industry SymposiaA number of programs are offered by industry and held in conjunction with the STS 56th Annual Meeting. They are not developed or sponsored by STS. READ MORE
- Meet with Top EmployersThe STS/CTSNet Career Fair gives you the chance to meet face-to-face with employers and discuss potential career opportunities. The Career Fair will be held in the Exhibit Hall at the back of aisles 1100 and 1200. READ MORE
- Learning Opportunities in the Exhibit HallExhibiting companies and others will present talks and demonstrations in the Learning Lab Theater, which is located at Booth #844. READ MORE
Saturday | Jan. 25
Welcome to New OrleansOn behalf of the STS leadership, thank you for joining us in the Big Easy at the 2020 STS Annual Meeting! New Orleans is a vibrant city with a rich history. You'll enjoy not only the educational offerings, but also the cultural experiences that await you. New this year, the meeting begins with a full day of sessions on Saturday, starting with STS University and ending with the always-thrilling Shark Tank presentations during Tech-Con. READ MORE
Is It Too Soon to Consider TAVR for Younger, Low-Risk Patients?A Sunday session will explore whether transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an appropriate treatment option for all low-risk patients, especially younger ones. One factor clouding the issue: long-term durability remains an open question. READ MORE
Debate Will Explore How to Treat IV Drug Users with Recurrent EndocarditisWhen a post-surgical reinfection in an endocarditis patient occurs as a result of drug use, does the drug user deserve a second valve replacement? Or is this a waste of surgical resources? These are two questions that experts will address during the Ethics Debate on Sunday afternoon. READ MORE
Why Do US and Canadian Surgeons View Cancer Treatment Differently?Surgeons around the world differ in their perspectives about when, where, and how to treat advanced stage cancer of the lungs, esophagus, trachea, and mediastinum. Whether one plays it safe or pushes the envelope can depend upon the surgeon’s professional preference, but also may be influenced by what is standard practice geographically. READ MORE
Video-Based Sessions Enrich the Learning ExperienceCardiothoracic surgeons often learn best by observing real surgeries and seeing how others navigate common and complex procedures. With that in mind, Sunday’s “MyTube” sessions will offer videos focusing on all three disciplines. READ MORE
Tech-Con Explores New Frontiers in Adult Cardiac and General Thoracic SurgeryToday’s Tech-Con program will feature innovative techniques and novel approaches to solving common clinical problems faced by adult cardiac and general thoracic surgeons. READ MORE
Scrub In Today at STS UIf you haven’t already signed up to attend STS University this morning, there’s still time to register for these interactive, hands-on sessions. Visit the registration desk in the Hall B1 Lobby to see what courses still have openings. Sessions take place from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and again from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in Hall B1. READ MORE
See How NextGen STS National Database Will Improve Your PracticeA Sunday morning session will demonstrate the many ways that surgeons can use the STS National Database to support their practice and improve outcomes for their patients. The next generation STS National Database is launching for the Adult Cardiac and General Thoracic Surgery Databases, while Congenital Heart Surgery Database participants will gain access in the next few weeks. READ MORE
Dive into the Digital Age to Boost Your Publishing PotentialTweets, Facebook posts, YouTube videos, and other social media outlets can help you engage with colleagues about important scientific issues and broaden the impact of your findings. It’s also a useful tool to promote ideas for future exploration. READ MORE
Learn How to Accelerate Your Research CareerIf at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That advice couldn’t be any more salient for the medical research community, according to Elizabeth A. David, MD, from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Dr. David will lead a panel of experts on Sunday who will share their research failures and successes, along with lessons learned. READ MORE- Planning for Unexpected Complications Can Improve Surgical OutcomesCardiothoracic surgery seldom proceeds precisely as planned. Every patient and every operation bring the potential for surprises, challenges, and complications. With the right kind of forethought and planning, however, surgeons can work through those difficult cases to achieve good outcomes. READ MORE
Team Approach Improves Recovery after Cardiothoracic SurgeryState-of-the-art strategies for recovery after cardiothoracic surgery are changing. The latest enhanced recovery protocols (ERP) rely on a multidisciplinary team approach that includes surgeons, anesthesiologists, intensivists, and other specialists to minimize trauma during surgery while maximizing safety, outcomes, and value. READ MORE
New Orleans: Where to Go and What to DoThere are a million fun things to do in New Orleans. When you’re not in educational sessions, you'll want to check a few of these items off your bucket list. READ MORE- Industry SymposiaA number of programs are offered by industry and held in conjunction with the STS 56th Annual Meeting. They are not developed or sponsored by STS. READ MORE
- Learning Opportunities in the Exhibit HallExhibiting companies and others will present talks and demonstrations in the Learning Lab Theater, which is located at Booth #844. READ MORE
- Thank YouThe Society of Thoracic Surgeons gratefully acknowledges supporting companies for providing educational grants for the STS 56th Annual Meeting. READ MORE